A SNAPSHOT OF CAMP

Arts, crafts, sports, nature, high ropes course, hot air balloon rides, talent show, s'mores everywhere, tie dye, low ropes course, party, carnival, cooking, campfire, pottery, swimming, cabin chat, REPEAT after me songs . . . our Dragonfly Kids did it all! At camp, illness takes a back seat to fun, friends, and laughter.

We have found our home at The Westtown School with its 600 gorgeous acres, amazing facilities and incredibly supportive staff. Our campers are safe at Dragonfly because of our 24/7 medical team, so they can focus all of their attention on fun. And, while they are concentrating on all of the fun, our staff, using our intentional programming, is making sure each camper learns things about life, about themselves, and about managing their illness. Mixed in the middle of all the fun are lessons in self-esteem, leadership, team-building, making Friends, and self-acceptance. At camp, our Dragonfly kids soar!

THROUGHT A CAMP DIRECTOR'S LENS (Scott Arizala)
In my first year as Camp Director, I expected Dragonfly Forest to be a typical camp experience - that it would be like any other camp and like no other camp on earth. And my expectations were more than met.

Yes, we went to Arts & Crafts and the pool, and we had prescheduled activities and free choice activities, we sang songs at meals, and we cried when we left (or at least when we were watching the end-of-the-session slide show). In that way, we were like every other camp out there, for really any kind of kid.

But Dragonfly isn't like any other camp for any kind of kid. Because of our 24/7 medical presence, Dragonfly Forest is able to take seriously ill children and give them a week of fun where they do, indeed, feel like they are like any other kid. This is the magic that is Dragonfly.

Dragonfly Forest has a very special ingredient that is instrumental in creating the magic. And that is, quite simply, our staff and their boundless energy and endless compassion. It's a combination of the counselors connecting with the kids, the energy of the staff to deliver the best experience, the relationships between staff members, the novel activities, kids making new friends, and the countless moments when kids smile, hug and play (and maybe even sample Kitty Litter Cake!) that all add up to be an experience that, in the end, is magic.

THROUGHT A COUNSELOR'S LENS (Kelly Anderson)
I grew up in a sheltered society, where the word 'diversity' is merely an idea, and this summer the Dragonfly Kids helped me learn some important lessons. Because the kids came from all kinds of backgrounds, they had very different perspectives on life, which tested my values and ingrained sense of security.

One particular camper taught me the truth about the types of burdens a six year old can carry. It was emotionally challenging to accept the injustices confronting such a young and innocent life. But this camper opened my eyes to the fact that I do not have to be a helpless bystander. By engaging him in camp activities over the course of the week, I helped transform him into a kid again. Because of him, I learned that the world is not as pretty as I once thought, but also that I can affect change and see joy in a child's eyes.

Other campers tested my perseverance. Throughout the week, they (like kids everywhere) challenged all of the rules, multiple times. There were many times when it seemed easier to give in, but I knew it would be failing them. The reason they tested the rules was because they needed boundaries to feel safe and, no matter how difficult, it was my job to provide them. They taught me not to give up on my convictions, no matter how difficult that might be. I learned that no matter what illness a child may have, I needed to see the kid inside and, in doing so, I found fun, laughter, and joy, especially joy.

THROUGHT A MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S LENS (Dr. Blaze Gusic)
My decision to join the Dragonfly family has been one of the most satisfying and rewarding decisions I have made. The Forest is a beautiful setting with more than enough outdoor charm to take kids a world away from the life of the crowded city. More importantly, it takes them a universe away from the hospitals and doctor's offices where they spend so much time.

Dragonfly Forest is such a happy place - it is the smiles I saw on the faces of the children, many of them my patients, that really brought a smile to my face. Seeing them in a different light, watching them grow more confident and independent, watching them become children who just happen to have hemophilia or asthma (as opposed to being "a hemophiliac" or "an asthmatic") is what Dragonfly Forest means to me. It is why we all do what we do.

It isn't an easy task. There is a lot of planning, a lot of stress, a lot of wondering how it is ever going to happen. When it was over, I'd like to say that we all looked back and said that it wasn't so bad, that it really was easy. It wasn't. It was ten times more exhausting than a day at the office, but infinitely more rewarding. The dedication of the staff, the organization of the programmers, the energy of the young counselors, the amazing doctors, medical students and nurses who volunteered their time: they were the fuel that kept the flames burning. It is an incredible group of people who have come together to make smiles, to make memories, to make magic.

There are so many smiles, so many memories and so much magic in The Forest. There are so many opportunities for growth and joy and transformation and hope: not just for the campers, but for everyone involved. It truly is "a place to soar,” and as a Pediatrician, I have never soared so high.

THROUGHT A VOLUNTEER'S LENS (Kevin Campbell)
I met an angel at camp this summer. He doesn't have wings, but despite the challenges that life has given him, he has found his own way to soar. Every day he strives to find the positive in life.

He is an eleven year old camper with persistent asthma and food allergies. As I was tucking him into bed one night, he told me his tale.

Last spring, he broke his ankle, but due to circumstances at home, his mother was unable to get him to the hospital for four days. By the time his ankle was reset, his left leg was a half-inch shorter than his right. He shared that he used to be the best soccer player in his school, but now is the worst, which makes him sad and have some tough days.

As we scurried from one activity to another at camp, he was always pulling up the rear but singing the loudest as we sang crazy camp songs to forget the heat, moving from fishing to tie-dye to archery to the pool. We had a great week!

On the last night at camp, while I tucked him into bed for the last time, I decided to see what I could learn from this child who smiled all the time, said 'please' and 'thank you,' charmed the young ladies, and was the best Lightning Dog (our cabin's mascot) ever. I thanked him for making my week so memorable, and for always cheering on his teammates, and being so courteous. I asked him how he did all this, especially on the tough days when he struggled so to keep up with the other boys.

He said, "Mr. K., I know I might not ever be the best player on the team again, so I am always going to try my hardest and be the nicest player so others will want me on their team."

Sometimes we learn the most from eleven year old angels!

THROUGHT A CAMPER'S LENS
"This was the beast summer of my lift!"
2007 Dragonfly Forest Camper

Translated: This was the BEST summer of my LIFE!

When my Grandma said I was going to summer camp, I was really scared. I didn't want to go. My friends aren't there. My Grandma isn't there. And I thought it would be boring. She also told me it was for other kids with asthma. "Asthma Camp! No way!" I sure didn't think it would end up being the best time I ever had.

When we got there, there were all these counselors so excited to see me. They didn't know who I was but they were excited that I was there. It was kind of like someone told them that I would be coming and somehow they figured out who I was. They knew my name, they knew where I was supposed to put my stuff, and they even knew some stuff about my asthma, but they didn't want to talk about it too much. One counselor told me that it is my job to have fun at camp and that everyone has asthma so it's no big deal. He was right. I only thought about it once and I remember it was because I was thinking about how they don't let me do some things at school, but here I can do everything.

I had a really good time doing all the stuff. I had never climbed on High Ropes before and the gym was so big we could all play basketball at once! But the best part of all was my friends. When I was scared to go because my friends weren't there, I didn't realize that I had so many friends that I just didn't know yet. That was my favorite part. Also the counselors. I never knew so many grownups could have fun and
really get me. Dragonfly Forest feels like home and even though it was only one week, it was the best summer of my life.